By Dr. Zbigniew Wesołowski, Monumenta Serica Editor
Monumenta Serica: Journal of Oriental Studies will see in the following year, 2015, the 80th anniversary of its founding which also marks the birth of the Monumenta Serica Institute. Thus, the first issue of Monumenta Serica was published in 1935 at the Fu Jen Catholic University (Beijing) by its founder and editor-in-chief, the German sinologist and missionary of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), Father Dr. Franz Xaver Biallas (1878–1936).
As a rather unique approach at this time, the journal was conceived as a forum for both Chinese and Western scholars, encouraging further exchange of ideas and close cooperation between these academics. Keeping true to this spirit, until today, most of our authors are from Europe and Asia, followed by the USA.
Monumenta Serica features studies in language and culture of traditional China, with an emphasis on history, philosophy and religions. “Traditional” in this case basically means “from the beginning to the end of the Qing dynasty,” although we are always willing to consider articles focusing on the Republican period as well. Contributions dealing with the greater context of East Asia are also featured, provided they are rooted in the field of Chinese studies, as the Chinese title of our journal suggests: Huayi xuezhi 華裔學志, which means “Scholarly Journal on China and Neighboring Countries.” The name was chosen by the noted historian Chen Yuan (1880–1971).
In addition to the journal, we publish two monograph series. The first series is the Monumenta Serica Monograph Series, which includes conference papers, doctoral dissertations, and other in-depth studies, in particular on the topics of Sino-Western cultural relations. In the late 1980s, the second book series was added, Collectanea Serica, which is comprised of studies on religions in China, especially on Christianity in China and mission history, on art, and architecture.
As a small editorial office, we make a point of working closely together with authors throughout the editing process. Throughout this process, we respect the author’s original voice and always strive to make suggestions that will be pleasing both to author and readers. We take pride in providing good service and editorial craftsmanship. Maney Publishing is an excellent platform to make our publications and our way of working more visible for a wider circle of readers and contributors.
Besides doing editorial work, we also organize exhibitions and conferences of our own. The most recent example is “‘I have called you by name' Contributions of Chinese Women to the Church,” held from September 25–26, 2014 in Sankt Augustin.
The Monumenta Serica Institute is supported by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). Before settling down at the SVD campus in Sankt Augustin, Germany (close to Bonn) in 1972, the Institute was moving through two continents. Before the end of the Chinese civil war, in 1948, the Institute and its library was first relocated to Japan and from 1962--1972 to the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. In Sankt Augustin, the Institute consists of the editorial office and the editorial library, which is also open to researchers (after appointment).